Region: Africa

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Africa

WONCA Africa is the regional organisation of the World Organization of Family Doctors, bringing together national colleges, professional associations, academic departments and young doctor networks committed to strengthening family medicine and primary health care across the African continent. It works to expand membership, support emerging national organisations and create a shared African vision for family medicine rooted in person‑centred, community‑oriented and equitable care.

Through advocacy, education and research, WONCA Africa champions the role of family physicians as expert generalists within primary care teams and district health services, improving access, continuity, coordination and quality of care. The region collaborates closely with key partners, including the PRIMAFAMED network, the African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, AfriWon Young Doctors and the African Forum for Primary Health Care (AfroPHC), to build capacity, nurture leadership and promote effective primary health care teamwork. Working with ministries of health and the WHO Regional Office for Africa, WONCA Africa provides a collective voice for family medicine in regional and national policy dialogues, advocating for investment in family physicians, resilient primary health care systems and universal health coverage for all people in Africa.

The WONCA World Conference will be held in Africa for the second time ever, taking place on 3 - 7 November 2027. Visit woncaworld2027.org for updates.

Upcoming Conferences

Regional President

Prof Bob Mash (South Africa)

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Other office bearers

Executive Members

President
Prof Bob Mash
South Africa

Past President
Dr Jane Namatovu
Uganda

President Elect
Dr Kwame Boateng
Ghana

Secretary
Dr Oluwaseun Olusola
Nigeria

Treasurer
Dr Besigye Innocent
Uganda

Member at Large
Prof Billy Tsima
Botswana

Member at Large
Prof Tasleem Ras
South Africa

AfriWon Representative
Dr Ibrahim Banaru
Nigeria

Groups and Organizations

AfriWon

AfriWon RENAISSANCE is the African organisation for young and future general practitioners /family physicians under the aegis of WONCA Africa region. It was launched in Prague June 2013 at the WONCA World conference.

Afriwon Research Collaborative

The ARC is an initiative of Afriwon to support the next generation of family medicine and primary care researchers in Africa. The ARC offers regular online teaching and e-mentorship to family physicians in training and those newly qualified to assist them in writing research proposals.


PRIMAFAMED

The Primary Care and Family Medicine (PRIMAFAMED) network is the academic wing of WONCA Africa and focuses on educational and research related matters. They offer monthly e-workshops and have an annual conference to enable capacity building and South-South-North collaboration.


PHCFM

The African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine (PHCFM) was launched by PRIMAFAMED and is now the official journal for WONCA Africa. The journal provides a platform for family medicine researchers and academics in the region to publish their research and share innovations.

WONCA Africa women

WONCA's Working Party on Women and Family Medicine are active in Africa.
Email: wwpwfmafrica@gmail.com

Latest News

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Publications

Creating the evidence for family medicine advocacy in Africa | Mash | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine | 2025

Scaling up World Organization of Family Doctors membership within the African region | Namatovu | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine

The road to defining African family medicine core values | Namatovu | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine

Next steps for the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Family Physicians (ECSA-CFP) | Besigye | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine

Financing and payment reforms for primary health care and universal health care in Africa | Moosa | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine

Building primary health care teams for universal health coverage in Africa | Moosa | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine

Family doctor leadership in African primary health care | Moosa | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine

Outcomes of AfroPHC, a WONCA Africa project | Moosa | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine

Development of African Forum for primary health care | Moosa | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine

Collaboration with World Health Organization | Moosa | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine

World Organisation of Family Doctors Africa is moving! | Moosa | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine

World Family Doctors Day 2019: Reflections from an African perspective | Mash | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine

The Astana Declaration and future African primary health care | Mash | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine

Get to know WONCA Africa | Moosa | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine

Mash R, Reid S. Statement of consensus on Family Medicine in Africa. Afr J Prm Health Care Fam Med. 2010;2(1)

The Kampala Commitment (2008)

The Rustenburg Resolution: Inequality in health care in South Africa (2008)